Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Green Lantern #48Green Lantern #48
DC Comics
Johns, Mahnke, Alamy & Nguyen

Note: Read this prior to reading Blackest Night #5 if you are picking both up.

This issue brings the ring colors together. It's an issue that is spent with most of the coalition trying to convince the remaining two holdouts to help out in the war against the Black Lanterns. It's a good issue mostly because of the character interactions. It also manages to pull off the impossible and that is to make the most blindly violent character, Atrocitus, have some depth to him. This issue could have been filler but instead we actually learn how some of these characters tick. Overall this is a good comic book.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe two lanterns not on board with the new alliance, Atrocitus and Larfleeze (Red and Orange Lanterns) are battling to start off the issue. As it is with the greed of Larfleeze he wants whatever crosses his path. When Atrocitus begins to take Larfleeze's lantern, suddenly they aren't as concerned with the Black Lanterns surrounding them. It's not entirely clear how or why Atrocitus is fixated on the Orange Lantern as opposed to just killing things, but the opening to the comic does really nail the personality of the Orange Lanterm Larfleeze down cold. Greed is cool.

Eventually, Saint Walker, Hal Jordan, Sinestro and all the rest of the various colors show up looking for Atrocitus and Larfleeze to get in on their alliance against the Black Lanterns. The "team" is still conflicted though as Jordan and Sinestro argue and Sinestro even offers a side deal that involves killing all of the Green Lanterns after they kill the Black Lanterns to Atrocitus, right in front of Hal Jordan. Tensions are high all around.

Each of the characters attempt to convince Larfleeze and Atrocitus, in their own way, that joining the good fight is the right move, throughout the issue. For example, Hal Jordan tries to give a pep talk while Sinestro uses some good, old-fashioned threats while Saint Walker taps into their internal hopes and dreams. Or so he thought. Each one takes a turn until someone finally figures out the combination.

Finally, Larfleeze and Atrocitus agree to help out and kill off the Black Lanterns. It's not such a difficult task with the greed of Larfleeze but with Atrocitus it takes some creativity and this comic pulls it off without making it look forced or ridiculous.

Sure, the comic contains some action but the real drama is in how the core group brings around Atrocitus and Larfleeze. This comic really turns Larfleeze into a fun and extremely likeable character. In some ways he has more rooted behavior and personality than Carol or Hal. Perhaps he's such a noticeable character because of how well he's depicted as well.

The artwork works hard to give some level of depth to the facial expressions and the drama that plays out in the issue. However, the coloring steals the show. You just cant get away from the comic without having the seven colored rainbow palette as your lasting memory in the artwork. It works well and gives the comic a wow factor but the drama seems to be muted in the process. Perhaps this is because it's a foregone conclusion that Atrocitus and Larfleeze are going to join in on the team or it could be that the coloring is just so brilliant. Either way, it's a gorgeous comic book.

The war of light reaches a truce in this issue. However, this comic really shows that these seven core characters aren't really getting along all that well. How long will it be before they start fighting again? Regardless, this comic pulls off the impossible and manages to strip away the blind rage of Atrocitus and make him become something more. This is a good comic book.

4 out of 5 geek goggles